Move Well, Age Well

Move Well, Age Well

We all know that physical activity brings countless physical and mental health benefits. It helps prevent non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, enhances brain health, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improves overall wellbeing. Our long-term quality of life is improved, and in fact, research indicates that aerobic exercises also may help extend our lifespan.

Thus, moving regularly is not merely a suggestion but mandatory, considering the myriad benefits it provides. Let's explore what happens when we don’t move, how to break free from prolonged sitting, and why mobility matters as we age.

Why back, neck, and joint pain are common in desk-based jobs

We often associate injury with accidents or heavy lifting. Yet one of the most dangerous thing we can do is do nothing at all! At the workplace, especially, be it work-from-home or office setups, sitting in one position without regular breaks to move around is a major cause of musculoskeletal issues like back, neck, and joint pain.

Tilting the head forward to look at a low monitor or phone increases the pressure on the cervical spine. Sitting for long periods of time also causes your hip flexors to shorten. Poor posture while sitting can also cause compression in the discs in the spine. Overtime, these small stresses add up to chronic discomfort.

Simple fixes for work-from-home and office setups

Move every 30 minutes: An easy fix is ensuring that you get up every 30 minutes, even if it is to merely stretch. Better still, go for a short walk to fill water, even if it means a break from your train of thought.

Adjust your screen: Ensuring that your screen is at eye level is also a great way to minimise the effect of prolonged seating.

Walking meetings: Walking meetings are an equally great way to get some movement while you're at work.

Standing desks: You can also consider investing in a standing desk to help reduce sedentary behaviour.

Small adjustments can make a big difference in preventing pain and improving energy.

The specific benefits of stretching exercises

Protect your mobility and maintain your range of motion in your joints with daily stretches. Stretching on a regular basis will keep your muscles flexible and lean, which means that any form of exertion won't put too much force on the muscle itself. Your circulation also improves, and blood flow to the muscles increases.

Strengthening and stretching specific muscle groups can also help reduce musculoskeletal pain and encourage proper alignment, which in turn helps improve posture. In short, stretching is a simple yet powerful tool for long-term health.

Mobility and its importance as we age 

A lack of exercise or physical activity on a regular basis increases the risk of a loss of mobility as we age. We start losing muscle mass as early as our 30s. This loss of muscle mass equals loss of strength to perform daily tasks.

As we age, our fitness routines should focus on flexibility, balance, and strength to maintain independence and prevent falls. Improving balance and protecting mobility, which in turn keeps you active, preserves freedom and quality of life. 

Conclusion

Pain prevention and mobility are less about "fixing problems" and more about avoiding them in the first place. Move regularly, stretch often, and keep things flexible, and your body will reward you with less pain and more freedom. Ignore it, and it will instead start collecting interest, starting with your joints!

 
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers are advised to (i) obtain independent professional advise before making any decisions related to or arising out of this blog article (ii) carefully review their health insurance policy terms and conditions to understand their applicable coverage scope (as some benefits may or may not be applicable to you), limits, and exclusions. Sukoon Insurance PJSC does not make any representation or warranty of any kind in relation to this article/blog post including that any of the data, information, materials on this blog article are accurate, reliable, or complete. Sukoon Insurance PJSC hereby disclaims any and all responsibility or liability of any kind for any direct or indirect damages or losses of any kind caused to you in relation to or arising out of this blog article.